Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
have on average
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "have on average" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing statistical data or general trends to indicate a typical or mean value across a set of observations. Example: "Students in this program have on average higher test scores compared to those in other programs."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Alternative expressions(2)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
"You now have on average as many as forty people being killed a day.
News & Media
In Brazil, families have on average one child.
News & Media
After all, people in the UK have on average one testicle each.
News & Media
It was determined that the final conjugates have on average one IRDye800 per particle.
Science
This means that a 300-mile pipeline will have on average about one incident per year.
News & Media
Japanese women now have, on average, just under one-and-a-half babies each.
News & Media
We conclude that female fetuses have, on average, a higher 2D:4D ratio than male ones.
Science
Meanwhile, Mets hitters have, on average, fared worse at home.
News & Media
They also have, on average, more than two.
News & Media
But how many friends do users have on average?
News & Media
African-Americans have on average about 20percentt European genes, largely as a legacy of slavery.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When writing about statistics or trends, use "have on average" to clearly indicate a mean or typical value derived from a set of data points. This ensures your readers understand you're referring to a calculated average rather than an absolute number.
Common error
Avoid presenting averages as definitive facts for every individual case. The phrase "have on average" describes a central tendency, and there will always be variation within the dataset. Make it clear that individual instances may differ significantly from the stated average.
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "have on average" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying the verb, indicating that the action or state described by the verb is a typical or mean occurrence. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase.
Frequent in
News & Media
55%
Science
40%
Formal & Business
5%
Less common in
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "have on average" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a typical or mean value as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to provide statistical context across diverse fields such as news, science, and business. While the phrase is versatile, it's crucial to remember that an average represents a central tendency, not an absolute truth. When using "have on average", ensure that it clearly indicates a calculated mean derived from a data set. Alternatives such as "typically have" or "generally have" can be used, but they may lack the statistical precision conveyed by the original phrase.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
typically have
Replaces "have on average" with a more general term indicating typicality.
generally have
Similar to "typically have", this conveys a sense of generality.
usually have
Indicates that something is the normal or expected situation.
on average possess
Replaces 'have' with 'possess', slightly more formal.
average number of
Focuses on the 'average' as a quantity or amount.
mean value of
Uses statistical terminology; more precise.
the average is
A more direct statement of the average.
families average
The noun 'families' becomes the verb; more concise.
statistically average
Emphasizes the statistical nature.
the norm is
Shifts focus to what is considered 'normal'.
FAQs
How do I use "have on average" in a sentence?
Use "have on average" to indicate a typical or mean value within a group. For example, "Students in this class "have on average" higher grades than students in the other class."
What's a simple substitute for "have on average"?
You can use phrases like "typically have" or "generally have" as substitutes for "have on average". For example, "People who exercise regularly "generally have" better cardiovascular health."
Is it better to say "on average have" or "have on average"?
"Have on average" is the more common and natural word order. While "on average have" isn't grammatically incorrect, it sounds less fluent. It is usually better to say "They "have on average" two children", instead of "They on average have two children".
What's the difference between an average and a median?
The average (or mean) is the sum of all values divided by the number of values. The median is the middle value when the values are ordered from least to greatest. Averages are affected by outliers; medians are more resistant to outliers. If your data have many outliers, use the median, not the average: “The average income does not give a realistic impression, the median income does”
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested